If you are struggling with a drug addiction that has taken control of your life, you may be wondering if it is possible to overcome it on your own, without help from professionals.
Although not entirely impossible, the likelihood of sustaining long-term successful recovery without professional help is low for those with more severe drug addictions.
In this guide, we’ll be explaining why overcoming an addiction is so hard to do alone and how our team of experts can help you along the road to recovery.
Why is Beating a Drug Addiction Alone So Difficult?
Overcoming drug addiction alone is incredibly difficult due to the way in which addiction works. Drug addiction affects the frontal cortex of the brain, altering impulse control and judgement.
The brain’s reward system is also impacted so that the memory of previous rewards (or highs) can trigger cravings for drugs, despite the negative consequences that occur as a result.
These changes to your brain can make quitting alone incredibly difficult, but it is important to know that addiction is treatable with the right kind of help and support.
Additionally, quitting drugs cold turkey can actually be dangerous. Suddenly cutting off the supply too quickly can lead to more extreme withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and Delirium Tremens.
That’s why it is always recommended to detox under medical supervision, in a safe environment where any negative withdrawal symptoms can be better managed. Find out more about private drug rehab.
How to Overcome Addiction with Professional Help
In order to overcome a drug addiction, it is important to understand how it works first. Allow us to explain in more detail.
How Does Addiction Work?
Addiction is rarely an instant problem. It often starts as recreational drug use among peers, on nights out or as a way to relax following a stressful day. Sometimes it can start with being prescribed drugs following illness or surgery.
Over time, the body builds a tolerance to the drug, meaning the individual must use higher doses more frequently in order to experience the same high they once felt.
Persistent use can lead to changes in the brain’s reward system, and it will no longer respond to regular levels of dopamine in the same way that it used to. This means the individual may no longer enjoy the things they once did and can find themselves unable to feel happy without taking the substance.
Furthermore, the body can become physically dependent on the drug, meaning the individual experiences uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop taking it, such as chills, exhaustion, tremors, anxiety and depression.
The individual may then take drugs again in order to stop the withdrawal symptoms. This is called a relapse.
Drug addiction can also cause emotional issues affecting someone’s self esteem and self worth and has consequences in other areas such as health, relationships, career and finances. All of this contributes to high-stress levels, which only make the problem worse and fuel the cycle of addiction even further.
How Does Residential Drug Rehab Treat Addiction?
Combination Treatment Programme
At Acquiesce, our team of experts can help you to overcome your drug addiction through specialised treatment.
We pride ourselves on offering a high level of focused, individual treatment to no more than 6 residential individuals at any one time, providing a high quality service at a low cost in an environment which encourages recovery.
We use a combination treatment programme which incorporates the 12 steps and cognitive behavioural therapy interventions, having found this approach to be the most effective in attaining long lasting recovery results.
The 12 steps allows you to discover a new recovery focused code of behaviour in which to live by.
The cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based approaches provide skills and resources to allow you to treat their addiction day to day on a practical level, which in turn supports you to live by your new recovery focused code of behaviour.
We also provide one-to-one sessions with our recovery practitioners and other skill-based therapies supported by our team of recovery experts.
Urban Recovery
One of the advantages of rehab at Acquiesce is our Urban Recovery Model which allows individuals to learn skills in an urban setting.
Although an escape style rehab in the countryside is a nice break, as soon as individuals come back to their daily lives and triggers, they are likely to return to their old ways again.
By undergoing treatment based in Bolton, you can benefit from learning new recovery skills in an environment that is similar to your own, helping you to cope with your triggers.
Is My Addiction Bad Enough for Rehab?
The first sign that your addiction is bad enough is when you yourself recognise a problem and judging by the fact you’re reading this, it’s likely a strong indicator that your addiction is severe enough to require professional support.
However, an addiction doesn’t have to be ‘bad’ in order to need help. In fact, identifying it early on and getting the right kind of support before it can get any worse and impact your life any further is a good idea.
How to Get Help from Acquiesce Rehab Centre
If you’re struggling with a drug addiction, it is important that any feelings of shame or embarrassment do not stop you from seeking the help you need.
At Acquiesce in Bolton, our treatment begins with a free, confidential consultation with one of our recovery practitioners to discuss your addiction. This will give us a better idea about your needs and circumstances, helping us to decide on the correct recovery pathway for you.
Alternatively, you may wish to speak with your GP first, who will discuss the options available, such as help from the NHS and local community addiction services.
However it is worth noting that over the years, drug rehab experts have repeatedly affirmed that residential treatment at a private clinic works better than any other treatment option available.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Acquiesce today to find out how we can help you.
